Wednesday's Third Baseman Value Rankings
Here are theScore's third baseman value rankings for Wednesday, June 22 (all stats exclude Tuesday's games):
Value Rankings
C | 1B/DH | 2B | SS | 3B | OF | SP
Top Options
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Eduardo Nunez (MIN) | vs. PHI | 9 |
| Kyle Seager (SEA) | at DET | 9 |
| Josh Donaldson (TOR) | vs. ARI | 9 |
| Nolan Arenado (COL) | at NYY | 8 |
| Kris Bryant (CHC) | vs. STL | 8 |
The switch-hitting Nunez is hitting .340 against left-handed pitching, with five of his nine home runs in 140 fewer plate appearances than he has against righties. He's one of the few trustworthy options in the Twins' batting order.
Seager hit his 15th home run of the season Tuesday, his 10th off a right-handed pitcher. He also owns a .310 batting average against righties and is a safe play in a matchup against Tigers RHP Michael Fulmer.
Donaldson's June barrage continued Tuesday, with another single and a walk. He has a .482 wOBA and a 1.191 OPS this month.
Mid-Tier Targets
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Justin Turner (LAD) | vs. WAS | 7 |
| Jurickson Profar (TEX) | vs. CIN | 7 |
| Luis Valbuena (HOU) | vs. LAA | 7 |
| Jung Ho Kang (PIT) | vs. SF | 7 |
| Nick Castellanos (DET) | vs. SEA | 7 |
| Chase d'Arnaud (ATL) | at MIA | 6 |
| Eugenio Suarez (CIN) | at TEX | 6 |
| Jose Ramirez (CLE) | vs. TB | 6 |
| Anthony Rendon (WAS) | at LAD | 6 |
| Matt Carpenter (STL) | at CHC | 6 |
| Evan Longoria (TB) | at CLE | 6 |
| Martin Prado (MIA) | vs. ATL | 6 |
| Aaron Hill (MIL) | at OAK | 6 |
| Andres Blanco (PHI) | at MIN | 6 |
Turner's been turning his season around with a 1.288 OPS over his last 10 games. He's hit five home runs and drawn three walks, and struck out just five times. He's preferred right-handed pitching, so don't be scared by Nationals RHP Joe Ross.
Despite struggling over his past 10 games, Profar remains a high-end option anytime he's facing a rightie at home. He's hitting .393 in such situations and both of his home runs have come against right-handers.
Carpenter enters the dreaded matchup against Cubs RHP Jake Arrieta, but his .394/.574/.606 slash line and 1.180 OPS over the last 10 days can't be ignored.
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| Adrian Beltre (TEX) | vs. CIN | 5 |
| Alex Rodriguez (NYY) | vs. COL | 5 |
| Jhonny Peralta (STL) | at CHC | 5 |
| Chase Headley (NYY) | vs. COL | 5 |
| Wilmer Flores (NYM) | vs. KC | 5 |
| Danny Valencia (OAK) | vs. MIL | 5 |
| Juan Uribe (CLE) | vs. TB | 5 |
| Marwin Gonzalez (HOU) | vs. LAA | 5 |
| Yunel Escobar (LAA) | at HOU | 5 |
| Phil Gosselin (ARI) | at TOR | 5 |
Beltre has just one home run in June, but his salary is too low to be ignored. He's still hitting .277 this month.
Valencia hasn't hit a homer in over a week, and he's unlikely to snap the slump against a right-handed pitcher. He's an option for GPPs, but he does represent risk.
Nothing to See Here
| NAME | OPPONENT | VALUE |
|---|---|---|
| David Freese (PIT) | vs. SF | 4 |
| Javier Baez (CHC) | vs. STL | 4 |
| Maikel Franco (PHI) | at MIN | 3 |
| Yangervis Solarte (SD) | at BAL | 3 |
| Trevor Plouffe (MIN) | vs. PHI | 3 |
| Todd Frazier (CWS) | at BOS | 2 |
| Jake Lamb (ARI) | at TOR | 2 |
| Ryan Flaherty (BAL) | vs. SD | 2 |
| Travis Shaw (BOS) | vs. CWS | 2 |
| Cheslor Cuthbert (KC) | at NYM | 1 |
Lamb has a 1.202 over his past 10 games, with three doubles, a triple and three home runs, but he's still hitting just .178 against southpaws, making him a risk against Blue Jays LHP J.A. Happ, who has been elite at times.